An alert officer from the 15th Police District captured two men who are responsible for at least 11 armed robberies of convenience stores, pizza parlors and other businesses in the Northeast since mid-August, authorities say. And the number of hold-ups tied into the case could still grow, although the primary suspects are now behind bars.

Last summer, leaders of the Somerton Civic Association found themselves in the surprising position of responding to a letter by a New Jersey resident characterizing the neighborhood as monotonous and lacking historical sites. Two local historians refuted that assessment on Oct. 14 during the SCA’s monthly meeting.

Philadelphia’s firefighters union and City Councilman Bobby Henon have renewed calls for the elimination of the fire department’s brownout program in the aftermath of a Tacony blaze that injured three union members.

It’s been six years since construction started on The Arbors at Eagle Pointe. More than half the homes still have not been sold, but the future looks brighter.

The signs on the sales office walls at The Arbors at Eagle Pointe say Westrum Development Company, but John Westrum is marketing something more vital than homes. He’s really selling consumer confidence — which he has to do, considering he’s sitting on the largest and most unsold residential construction project in the Northeast and perhaps the city.